Ha ha ha jail: Men held in contempt over court selfie

Sheriff Gary Aitken sentenced Christopher Branley, 35, and Scott Ross, 40, after finding their conduct showed a serious lack of respect for the court. The case of their co-accused, Kelsey McLeod, 25, was adjourned until next month to allow a criminal justice social work report to be prepared, The Press and Journal reports.

Court papers detail that Branley was standing in the dock of Court 4 at Inverness Justice Centre when he took a “selfie-type photograph” that showed himself, his two co-accused and a GEOAmey custody officer. The image was then posted, or caused to be posted, to Snapchat.

Ross was said to have participated while making a disrespectful gesture by sticking his tongue out. McLeod was described as having taken part in the photograph but without making any gesture.

The court heard that a security officer observed the trio laughing and joking in the dock before Branley produced his phone and took the photograph. They were immediately brought back before the court.

The image showed Ross, of Kirkside, sticking his tongue out and giving a thumbs-up, while Branley, of Driver’s Way, Milton, and McLeod, of Firhill, smiled. It was captioned: “ha ha ha court.”

At an earlier hearing, Sheriff Aitken told the accused he was “seething” after seeing the image and described their behaviour as “a gross disrespect of court and sheer, unmitigated stupidity done in a crass and brazen way”.

All three apologised through their lawyers. Rory Gowans, for McLeod, said his client was “very upset” and apologised unreservedly. Graham Mann, for Ross, accepted the conduct was disrespectful and “strikes at the integrity of the court”. Kathrine Grant, for Branley, said it was a “momentary but stupid” lapse and that her client had behaved immaturely.

Branley was jailed for 12 months, backdated to January 6 – when he was remanded in custody. Ross was given a six-month sentence from the same date. McLeod’s case will call again in March.